Guilford County, North Carolina, Apprentice Bonds and Papers - 1817-1870

Apprentice Bonds were used by the court to care for orphans and bastard children of the county, so they would not be a "charge on the county." These unfortunate children were apprenticed to a Master or Mistress to learn a trade, so they would later become useful citizens. The bonds were actually indentures that obligated the Master to provide food, shelter and apparel, among other things, until the child reached twenty-one. The Apprentice promised to serve and obey all lawful commands of his Master. This book provides names, and information, that might not appear in any other records.